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Press ReleaseUNICEF Mourns Nkosi Johnson“A Courageous Boy Who Moved A Continent” NEW YORK, 1 June 2001 – Calling him a “courageous boy who moved a continent,” the United Nations Children’s Fund today mourned the death of Nkosi Johnson, the 12-year-old South African who helped break the silence about HIV and AIDS.
“My heart goes out to Gayle Johnson, his loving mother and caregiver,” said Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF. “All of us at UNICEF share her grief and her sense of loss.” Ms. Johnson adopted Nkosi when he was two, after his natural mother died of AIDS. Nkosi was born with the virus. “Nkosi gave us an extraordinary gift,” Bellamy said. “With a clear voice and a large heart, he helped break the silence surrounding AIDS. He stood up before a distracted world and told us who he was – a boy who was sick, but a still a boy. Still a human being to be valued and cared for. “He was so right about that,” Bellamy added. “Nkosi was special, but he was by no means alone. Across Africa today there are nearly 11 million young people living with HIV/AIDS. More than 13 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. And each year some 600,000 newborns are infected. “I have said before and I will continue to say, young people hold the key to breaking the transmission of this disease. Like Nkosi, they are courageous, they are motivated, they are willing to play their part. And sadly, like Nkosi, they have the most to lose,” Bellamy said. “Today, Nkosi Johnson, 12 years old, died of AIDS. But there are millions more children and young people whose voices we must hear and whose value we must acknowledge. The children and young people of Africa need our support, our respect, and our attention. If we give them that, they can help stop this disease.” Bellamy met Nkosi at the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, in July 2000, when he addressed thousands of scientists, political leaders and AIDS activists from around the world. Bellamy noted that world leaders gathering later this month in New York for a UN Special Session on AIDS have a prime opportunity to exhibit the same courage and leadership shown by young people like Nkosi. She also called attention to the UN Special Session on Children, set for this September in New York. “Anyone who wants to push world leaders to do more for children like Nkosi has a great opportunity right now,” Bellamy said. “I urge all people who care to Say Yes for children by voting at www.gmfc.org or by contacting their local UNICEF office.” UNICEF and its partners are collecting the pledges and will present them to national leaders during the Special Session. “The message will be straightforward,” Bellamy said. “The citizens of the world care about children and expect governments to keep the promises they make to them.” *** For further information, please contact: Liza Barrie, UNICEF Media Chief, New York Alfred Ironside, UNICEF Media, New York
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